Jjolmyeon

Background and History

Jjolmyeon is a popular Korean noodle dish known for its chewy noodles and spicy, tangy sauce. It originated in the Korean Peninsula and has become a favorite street food in South Korea. Jjolmyeon was created in the early 1970s by accident when the manufacturing process for making cold noodle dough went wrong, resulting in the unique chewy texture that differentiates jjolmyeon from other noodle dishes. Today, it is enjoyed both as a main dish and a side dish, often found in Korean markets and stalls.

Ingredients

• Jjolmyeon noodles
• Cabbage
• Carrot
• Cucumber
• Bean sprouts
• Garlic
• Gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)
• Soy sauce
• Vinegar
• Sugar
• Sesame oil
• Sesame seeds
• Boiled eggs (optional for garnish)

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the jjolmyeon noodles according to the package instructions. Typically, they need to be boiled for 5-7 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
2. Cut the cabbage into thin strips, julienne the carrot and cucumber. Blanch the bean sprouts in boiling water for about 1 minute, then rinse with cold water. Set all vegetables aside.
3. Mince the garlic finely.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and the minced garlic. Mix until you get a smooth sauce.

Cooking Process

1. In a large bowl, combine the chilled jjolmyeon noodles with the prepared vegetables: cabbage, carrot, cucumber, and bean sprouts.
2. Pour the sauce over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Using clean hands or chopsticks, mix everything together well, ensuring the noodles and vegetables are well-coated with the sauce.
3. Transfer the mixed jjolmyeon to serving bowls. Garnish with sesame seeds and slices of boiled egg, if using.
4. Your jjolmyeon is ready to serve!
5. Set a cooking timer for nearly 20 minutes to allow any additional preparation or serving setup.

Enjoying Jjolmyeon

Jjolmyeon is usually served cold, making it a refreshing meal during hot weather. It's a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors coupled with the chewy texture of the noodles. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less gochujang to your taste. Enjoy jjolmyeon with a side of kimchi or any banchan (Korean side dishes) to complement the meal. It pairs well with chilled barley tea, known as bori-cha, or a glass of makgeolli, a Korean rice wine, to enhance your dining experience.